Spain only finished in 11th place in Lithuania but that group of 17-year-olds returned to take gold one year later, in Poland.

Last summer saw Fernandez and co. stepping on the podium for the third time, as Spain clinched bronze at the U20 European Championship in Slovenia.

"I remember everything [from these competitions], but most of all the human group we have formed during these years, not only the medals," he says.

"Of course the medals are very important and I value them very much but with my team-mates we've built a great relationship that we maintain all year-round.

"We all keep in touch, we speak to each other when we meet as rivals during the season, because above all we're friends."

Perhaps surprisingly, one topic that does not seem to be high on the agenda when this very promising group of 1992 and 1993-born Spanish players get together is how to cope with the weight of expectation.

Fernandez has tasted success more than once at age-grade level for Spain